【Tiny Hope: In any desperate situation, there is always a glimmer of hope.】
Suddenly, at that critical moment, perhaps with the threat of death hanging over her like a sharp blade, Anlis’s mind went into overdrive like never before.
Eventually, the sounds around her faded, and there was no more drumbeat of music.
She took a deep breath, her gaze calm yet somewhat strange as she looked at Vylian.
“What’s there to be confused about? That question of yours is really weird. I just responded a little slowly, yet you keep pressing on that point. It feels a bit off.”
‘Ah, she almost forgot one thing.’
‘She should try to forget that she knows Vylian is the Demon King.’
‘The more she cares, the easier it is to slip up.’
‘The less she cares, treating the other as a saintess, a normal person, a close companion, the fewer her own weaknesses.’
‘At times like this, what she should think about is not explaining, but firing back with a puzzled counter-question. That’s the one and only correct answer!’
Hearing this, Vylian was momentarily at a loss for words, and her originally probing gaze became evasive.
“I was just asking.”
She shrank back, not pressing the issue further, thinking that she had pushed too hard and revealed a flaw, which instead made Anlis suspicious.
Since Anlis showed no abnormalities, there was probably no need to test further for now.
Seeing Vylian’s reaction, Anlis’s suspended heart completely settled.
She had bet correctly.
After all, the other’s actions were still based on the premise that “she didn’t know Vylian was the Demon King.”
Her earlier panic was just her overthinking after learning the truth, always subconsciously assuming the other’s stance was “she likely already knows she’s exposed,” which led to wild thoughts and self-confusion.
It was because she thought too much.
So, what should normal interaction be like?
Anlis casually sat down beside Vylian. This was the first time she had voluntarily gotten so close. She even reached out a hand and gently placed it on Vylian’s thigh.
Today, Vylian was wearing white silk stockings, as if changing her taste.
Anlis still thought this loli looked better in black silk stockings.
Suddenly having a hand on her leg, Vylian was clearly startled.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m really tired. I want a knee pillow.”
Vylian seemed to suddenly hear something outrageous from the other’s mouth.
“Huh? Why do you think that just because you want it, I’ll definitely give it?”
“You did it yesterday.”
“Yesterday was a special circumstance!”
“Do I have to be injured for you to give me a knee pillow?”
Vylian pouted.
That was quite a bold line of talk.
With that pitiful look, if she were following her gentle disguise persona, she would indeed have to soften and agree.
She thought for a moment, then suddenly came up with a brilliant way to make Anlis back down.
“Call me mama, and I’ll give you a knee pillow.”
Although Anlis had a history of calling the loli mama many times, it was always when she was delirious from Curse Outbreaks.
Now she was sober. If she had any sense of shame, she definitely wouldn’t say such a thing.
If she actually said it, that would prove the Hero’s nature was just like that—utterly lowly.
“Hmm… then forget it.”
After hesitating for a while, Anlis ultimately gave up.
Originally, she asked for the knee pillow just to further dispel Vylian’s suspicion through this action.
Now that the goal was basically achieved, there was really no need to say those two shameful words.
Having to shout “Loli Mama” last night to survive was already a mortifying death; if she said it again while conscious, it would be worse than dying.
Her sense of shame would tear her apart.
But seeing Anlis back down, Vylian suddenly felt playful. She braced her hands on the ground and leaned forward.
“What’s wrong? Scared? Call me mama and I’ll give you a knee pillow. That’s a pretty good deal, isn’t it?”
“Good in what way? No matter how I look at it, I’m the one losing out.”
As the girl leaned in, the scent of flowers on her became especially clear. Anlis blushed and turned her head away, wanting to stand and leave.
“Losing out? You just have to say one word, while I have to sit up straight and let you lean on me. No matter how I look at it, I’m the one losing out. You’re such a small fry, can’t even say one word? If you want something, you have to fight for it.”
Her smile grew wider, and with her delicate figure, a few strands of fine hair hung down, making her face even cuter.
“Come on, come on. You have to pay a little price for everything.”
Anlis clenched her teeth.
The way she was giggling clearly showed she was sure Anlis, constrained by shame, would never dare to say those two words.
Her coaxing was just teasing, a means to humiliate the weak.
Typical little brat—only daring to be so cocky because she was certain.
But if she thought about it carefully, weren’t they just two words?
Would saying them actually cost her a piece of flesh?
This girl was already jumping in her face like that. If she didn’t fight back, she wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight!
Anlis took a deep breath, suddenly turned her head, and met Vylian’s eyes with a look full of determination, like a true Hero stepping into the Demon King Castle with a Holy Sword.
“Mom.”
“Huh? Huh? What did you say?”
Vylian froze, thinking she had misheard. The smile on her face instantly stiffened.
“Mom, Mom, Mom, I want a knee pillow.”
“No! You actually said it!”
Vylian quickly shrank back, making a disgusted expression as she immediately distanced herself from Anlis.
Just now she thought she could get a laugh out of this utterly embarrassed girl.
But it turned out that when pushed to the edge, this girl was capable of anything.
“Where’s my knee pillow? You can’t go back on your word!”
As she spoke, Anlis moved closer, and Vylian hastily scooted away.
The two of them were sitting on a tree trunk that served as a bench, which wasn’t very long. After a few scoots, Vylian was forced to the edge of the trunk. If she moved back any further, she’d fall.
“How thoughtful. Knowing that lying in the middle would be uncomfortable, you specially left me such a big space.”
“Who said that? I… it’s almost noon. I’m going to cook. You can manage your own time here.”
Vylian quickly stood up without looking at the girl sitting there.
“Then after Mama finishes cooking, can I still have a knee pillow…”
Before she could finish, Anlis suddenly froze, her smile completely solidifying.
Because she saw someone.
Lisina was standing not far away, looking at her with an especially strange expression, mixed with indescribable complexity.
“Mom, when did you get here?”
“Right around when you shouted, ‘Mom, I want a knee pillow.'”
Anlis’s face instantly turned red, and even her acting talent couldn’t hold up.
“Mom, it’s not what you think. Listen to me. The reason is…”
“Alright, Anlis, I understand. I’m sorry that your mom isn’t a loli. It’s been tough on you all these years.”
“No! That’s not it!”
Anlis howled loudly.
Vylian, however, was delighted to have gained a powerful ally.
She had almost been overpowered by this girl!
Now was the time to counterattack!
“Ah, Miss Anlis, I can understand your hobbies, but… but can you please show a little restraint? Being addressed like that is quite troubling for me too.”
Anlis’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Who was it that was just pestering her to say “mama” and challenging her with a smug face?!
Gugu gaga!!!
Argh!!!